Vending machine



Aug. 14, 1923.

Q Ma:

Aug. 14, 1923. 1,464,682

G. E. NORRIS VENDING MACHINE Filed July 23. 1921 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 620/?2: l1 jVorz-zis' Aug. 14, 1923.

G. E. NORRIS VENDING MACHINE Filed July 23, 1921 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 3mm 620222215: A ar/'41s Patented Aug. 14, 1923.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE E. NORRIS, F COLUMBUS, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO THE PERFECTION MORTISING MACHINE COMPANY, OF COLUMBUS, OHIO, A CORPORATION OF OHIO.

VENDING MACHINE.

Application filed July 23, 1921. Serial No. 487,106.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that Gnonon E. NORRIS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Columbus, in the county of Franklin and State of Ohio, has invented certain new and useful Improvements in Vending Machines, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in vending machines, particularly to vending l0 machines of the coin operated type, an object of the invention being to provide a machine of this character with an improved coin controlled operating mechanism which will be of a simple and positive character and of such design as to prevent fraudulent operation thereof.

Another object of the invention resides in the provision of a coin controlled operating mechanism for vending machines which will 2 be capable of being operated by coins of varying denominations, the purpose thereof being to provide a delivery of merchandise which will accord with the purchasing power of the particular coin inserted in the machine.

' With these and other objects in view, that will appear as the description proceeds, the invention accordingly consists in the various and novel features of construction, combinations of elements and arrangements of parts, hereinafter to be fully set forth in the following description and ointed out with particularity in the appen ed claims.

In the accompanying drawing:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a vending machine constructed in accordance with the principles of the invention.

Figure 2 is a partial vertical longitudinal sectional view taken through the machine on the plane indicated by the line Q2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view taken on the plane indicated by the line 33 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a similar sectional view disclosing more particularly the construction of the pivoted ratchet member.

Figure 5 is a detail perspective view of the coin operated latch.

Figure 6 is a horizontal sectional view taken along the line 6-45 of Figure 2, and,

Figure 7 is a vertical sectional view taken through the delivery mechanism of the machine.

Referring more particularly to the details of the invention, the numeral 1 desi nates my improved vending machine in its entirety. As shown, the machine is formed to embod a. base casting 2, from which arises vertical rear and side walls 3 and 4 respectively, the front of the machine being enclosed by a structure to be hereinafter fully specified. The upper 'end of the machine is closed by a top section 5, suitably retained in place, and by the removal of which the contents of the machine may be inserted. Transparent panels 6 are also formed in the side walls to enable the merchandise carried by the machine to be exteriorly viewed. Midway of its height, there is mounted within the machine a partition 7 rigidly retained in an applied position, and formed to include a discharge opening 8, communicating with the discharge mechanism of the machine. The front edge of the partition 7 is suitably recessed to receive a transparent panel 9, constituting one of the front walls of the casing. It will be understood that by this construction, the merchandise to be dispensed from the machine, such for example as salted peanuts or the like, is placed within the cabinet by removing the top section 5, and the greater bulk of the merchandise will be supported within the machine by and above the partition 7.

Located within the machine beneath the partition 7 is a fixed shelf 10, which is provided with an upstanding centrally located post 11, the latter being received within the hub 12 of a rotatable carrier 13. This carrier, as shown in Figure 6, is provided with a plurality of radiating webs 14, which divide the carrier into a plurality of com partments 15, into which the merchandise is permitted to gravitate from the top of the machine, the said carrier in this instance being formed to include a perforated outturned flange 16, disposed for engagement with the teeth of a star wheel 17, which is carried by the inner end of an operating shaft 18, journaled horizontally for rotation and having its outer end equipped with a manipulating knob 19, which knob is positioned beyond the walls of the machine. By rotating the shaft 18, it will be apparent that the carrier will be rotated about the post 11, in order that the filled compartments of the carrier may be brought successively into registration with a discharge opening 20 formed in the shelf 10, in order that the carrier may discharge its contents through the opening 20 and into the chute 21, which is downwardly inclined and projects through the front of the machine. the lower end of the said chute being provided with the usual pivoted door 22, which when lifted ill permit of the convenient removal of the contents of the chute.

The coin controlled operating mechanism of the machine, which constitutes the gist of the present invention. is formed to include a pair of upper and lower closure plates 23 and 24 respectively, the upper plate being formed to include an inwardly directed flange 25, which is secured as at 26 to the rigid shelf 10, and the said plate further includes a bearing 27 for rotatahly supporting the operating shaft 18. A cover section 28 is secured to the front of the plate 23 and cooperates with the latter, as shown in Figure 3, to produce a curved coin. receiving chute 29, capable of receiving coins of varying denominations. The cover section is provided at its front with a circular opening 30. through which the coins may be inserted so as to be deposited within the chute 29. Formed with the shaft 18 is a main ratchet wheel or element, 31 which has its periphery provided with an arcuate recess 32, terminating in shoulders 33. This recess is adapted to receive the arcuate shoe extension 34 provided upon a pivoted pawl 35. This pawl is pivoted as at 36 to the rear face of the vertical wall 37 of the plate 23, and the extension 34 is disposed to pass through an opening 38 provided in the wall 37, the opening 38 being of sufficient size to ermit of the oscillation of the pawl 35, 211K the consequent moving of the same into or out of locking engagement with the ratchet element 31. The shoe extension 34 is united with the body of the pawl by means of a laterally extending finger 39 which is disposed to extend between the outer surface of the wall 37 and the ratchet element 31. The latter is provided with a fixed stud 40, which extends toward the outer surface of the wall 37 and is located inrmediatelv to one side of the terminating end of the chute 29. By this construction it will be manifest that when a coin is deposited within the chute 29, the same will fall downwardly until it engages with the operating shaft 18, as shown in Figure 3. and will be positioned so that the periphery of the coin will be located contiguous to the stud 40 and the edge of the finger 39, which latter is located on a. plane slightly above the true center of the coin. By rotating at this time, the shaft 18 in the direction indicated by the arrow, the stud 40 of the ratchet element 31 will engage the coin and force the latter toward the finger 39. Since the coin engaging edge of the finger is slightly above that of the true center of the coin, it follows that the pressure exercised by the stud upon the coin will efi'ect the elevation of the finger 39, thus oscillating the pawl 35 bodily and causing its shoe extension to be lifted out of the recess 32, thereby permitting the shoe extension to clear the shoulders 33 so that the ratchet element and consequently the operating shaft may be freely rotated. To properly operate the machine, the shaft should be given one complete revolution to bring successive compartments 15 into alignment with the discharge opening 20 in the shelf 10. The ratchet element is also provided with teeth 41, which are adapted to engage with a spring pressed dog 42, the latter serving to prevent rearward or backward rotation on the part of the operating shaft after movement thereto has been initiated. It will be seen that by this construction merchandise may be readily removed, by the insertion of the proper coin, from the interior of the machine in regulated amounts. The pawl 35 is, of course, provided with a spring 43, which serves to maintain the shoe exten sion 34 seated within the recess 32 under normal conditions of operation.

The operating mechanism comprising the present invention is capable of handling coins of varying denominations, and to deliver merchandise in accordance with the purchasing power of each ooin inserted within the machine, and moreover, to permit this feature to be effective in a purely automatic manner. Thus, by the insertion of a one cent piece within the machine, the contents of one of the compartments 15 will be discharged, and upon the insertion of a live oent piece, five or more of the compartments may be operated upon to discharge their contents. This end is obtained by the provision of a ratchet lever 44, of the construction disclosed more particularly in Figure 4. As shown, this lever embodies an arm 45, which is pivoted as at 46 to the rear face of the vertical wall 37, and the upper end of the arm 45 terminates in a downwardly directed arcuate arm 47, disposed in such manner that when the lever 44 is oscillated, the said arm will clear the operating shaft, 18. The inner wall of the arm 47 is provided with a plurality of gear teeth 48, and the outer surface of the arm 47 is provided with a plurality of ratchet teeth 49. A spring 50 is connected with a crank arm formed near the hub of the lever 44 and with the fixed part of the plate 23, the said spring normally tending to revolve the lever 44 to the dotted line position disclosed in Figure 4. However, this movement on the part of the lever is prevented by a lug 51 formed upon one end of the pawl 35.

\Vhen a five cent piece is inserted in the chute 29, and the shaft 18 rotated, the five cent piece will engage with thefinger 39, and by reason of the size of the coin, the

pawl will be rocked or elevated a greater distance than it is rocked or elevated by a one cent piece. This condition notonly causes the arcuate shoe extension 34 of the pawl to be forced out of the recess 32, but also lifts the lug 51 so that the same will be moved to a position clear of the ratchet lever 44, thus allowing the said lever to assume the dotted line position disclosed. When in this position, the arcuate arm 47 of the ratchet lever will underlie the lug 51, and this engagement of parts retains the pawl in such an elevated position that its shoe extension will be independent of the shoulders 33 of the recess 32, thus permitting of the free and unrestricted rotation of the operating shaft. To regulate the delivery of merchandise under the five cent piece, the shaft 18 is provided with a single tooth 52, which is adapted to engage with the gear teeth 48 formed with the ratchet lever. It will be observed, therefore, that the shaft must be rotated at least five complete times in order that the ratchet lever will be oscillated to its normal position, permitting of the dropping of the lug 51 behind the ratchet lever. Thus, an amount of merchandise is delivered which will correspond with the purchasing power of the coin inserted. The ratchet teeth 49 are utilized for the purpose of cooperating with the lug 51 to prevent reverse movement of the ratchet lever, so that the latter will not respond to the influence of its spring in being moved back to its normal position.

From the foregoing description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, it will be manifest that the present invention provides an operating mechanism for coin controlled machines which will serve to permit of positive and effective operation with but a minimum of mechanical complication. Furthermore, a construction is produced whereby the mechanism will be enabled to handle coins of varying denomination and to deliver merchandise in accordance therewith. The operating mechanism is securely enhoused, is not likely to become out of order or occasion repair and is effective from a standpoint of preventing the mechanism from being fraudulently operated. Also, after movement of the operating mechanism has been initiated, it is necessary to carry out the full cycle of operation before a normal or neutral position can be again obtained. It will be understood that the closure plates 23 and 24 and the cover section 28 are adaptedto be securely united together, and this end can be obtained by providing the lower plate 24 with a key operated lock 53 which when in locked position will project its bolt into engagement with the upper plate 23, thus preventing the said plates from being operated until after proper actuation of the lock.

What is claimed is:

1. In a vending machine, a coin controlled operating mechanism including a shaft, a ratchet rotatable with said shaft, a pawl normally cooperative with said ratchet to preclude rotation on the part of said shaft, a coin chute capable of depositing a coin between said ratchet and said pawl, whereby upon the rotation of the ratchet, said pawl will be elevated to assume an inactive position permitting of the rotation of said shaft, a ratchet lever, and means formed with said pawl to retain said ratchet lever in an inactive position, whereby upon insertion of a relatively larger coin between said ratchet and pawl, the said means will be operated to release the ratchet lever permitting of a predetermined number of rotations on the part of said shaft before said pawl assume an active position.

2. In a vending machine, a coin controlled operating mechanism comprising an operating sha t, a ratchet rotatable with said shaft, a pawl normally engaging said ratchet to prevent rotation thereof, a coin chute capable of depositing a coin between said ratchet and pawl to cause the latter to assume an inactive position permittin of rotation on the part of said shaft, a pivot ratchet lever, a spring normally serving to rotate said lever to an active position, a lug formed upon said awl and serving to maintain said lever in its inactive position, whereby upon insertion of a relativel larger coin into engagement with the paw the latter will be elevated to release said lug from engagement with said lever, thereby permitting the latter to assume, under the influence of its spring, an active position, and means formed upon said shaft for returning said lever to its inactive position after said shaft has been rotated for a predetermined number of times.

3. In a vending machine, a coin controlled operatin mechanism comprising an operat ing sha a ratchet rotatable with said shaft, a pawl normally cooperative with said ratchet to preclude rotation on the part of said shaft, a coin chute capable of delivering the coin into engagement with said pawl, whereby upon the rotation of said ratchet, said pawl will be moved to assume an inactive position permitting of rotation on the part of said shaft, a ratchet lever, a spring cooperative with said lever and normally tending to maintain the latter in an active position, 9. lug formed on one end of said pawl, and normally cooperative with said lever to retain the latter in its active position, whereby upon the nsertlon of a relatively large coin with said pawl, the latter will be operated to permit of the disengagement of said lug with said lever, thereby causing said lever to assume an 1nactive position under the influence of said spring, gear teeth provided upon said lever, and a tooth projection formed with said shaft and capable of meshing with the teeth of said lever to restore the latter to an inactive position after a predetermined number of revolutions on the part of said shaft.

4. In a vending machine,a coin controlled operating mechanism comprising an operating shaft, a ratchet rotatable with said shaft, a pawl normally cooperative with said ratchet to preclude rotation on the part of said shaft, a coin chute capable of depositing a coin in engagement with said pawl, whereby upon the rotation of said shaft, said awl will be forced to an inactive position permitting of the rotation of said shaft, a pivot sector member, a spring cooperative with said member and normally tending to rock the latter to an 2 inactive position, a lug formed upon said awl and serving to retain said sector memher in an inactive position against the influence of said sprin said lug being so positioned that upon t e insertion of a relatively large coin into engagement with said pawl, said lug will be removed from engagement with the sector member, permitting the latter to assume an active position by the influence of said spring, gear teeth formed upon the inner part of said sector member, a tooth projection provided upon said shaft and capable of engaging said gear teeth to return said sector member to its inactive position after a predetermined number of revolutions 0n the part of the shaft, and ratchet teeth provided :1 on the outer periphery of said sector mem er and cooperative with the said lug to prevent the sector member from responding to the influence of its spring during the period of interaction of said projection and gear teeth.

In testimony whereof I aflix my si ature.

GEORGE E. NO RIS.

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